The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday, September 25, brushed off rumors of a destabilization plot against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., dismissing the claims as “baseless” and far removed from reality.
“The AFP rejects malicious narratives about supposed plans to unseat the President or launch destabilization efforts,” AFP Public Affairs Office chief Colonel Xerxes Trinidad said.
He emphasized that the military’s loyalty rests on the “Constitution, the Republic, and the Filipino people”—not on politics or personalities.
Reports claimed the alleged plotters planned to move ahead of the September 21 anti-corruption rallies, which erupted after exposés revealed corruption in government flood-control projects involving engineers and politicians.
Trinidad stressed that the AFP remains a professional and disciplined institution with an intact and united chain of command.
He warned that linking the military to intrigue only seeks to “sow division, cast doubt on our leadership, and derail the President’s fight against corruption.”
President Marcos earlier formed an independent probe team through Executive Order 94 to investigate alleged anomalies in flood-control and other infrastructure projects.
“The AFP’s role is clear: to defend our democratic institutions, not to arbitrate political disputes,” Trinidad added.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.